There's a New Sheriff in Town

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Tom Bowler became the county's first new sheriff in 32 years on Tuesday night.

Bowler, a Pittsfield Police detective and one-time assistant deputy superintendent at the House of Correction trounced North County's longtime state representative Daniel Bosley.

Bowler was greeted by more than 200 supporters at his victory party for sheriff at the Crowne Plaza. The crowd cheered enthusiastically as the returns came in. Not surprisingly, the Pittsfield native was supported by his city, which cast 5,070 ballots in his favor against Daniel Bosley, who polled 1,717.

New Sheriff-elect Tom Bowler embraces friend Jerry Burke, president and CEO of Hillcrest

Bosley was hoping for low turnout in Pittsfield to catch the detective by powering out of North County. But Bowler bit deep into Bosley's territory and Pittsfield made up for its sluggish start in the afternoon and evening hours, with about a 26 percent turnout.

North Adams stuck by Bosley, handing him 1,630 votes to Bowler's 1,035 but Adams went blue. Bowler picked up 1,064 to Bosley's 878.

Bowler continued to roll up towns throughout the county. South County turnout was extremely low, indicative of the few races on the ballot there.

Bowler thanked his supporters and mentioned the many friendships he'd made during the long campaign.

"There has been a change in our community. The drug dealers and violence eat at the heart of our community," he said. "But there's a new sheriff in town."

He praised his family and friends for their support and said he'd instill the office of sheriff with fairness and integrity. "I'm going to lead the only way I know how — by example."

More than 200 supporters gathered at Bowler's election party at the Crowne Plaza on Tuesday night.

iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.

"not the right man" hmmmm, I guess the overwhelming majority of Berkshire County voters must be unenlightened such as yourself! It's hard to be a good winner when then people are not good losers. So, I'll respond at your level, Bosley was "trounced" he was beat severely. Doesn't say much for your candidate who had name recognition, experience, etc.

I guess when you cut the Sheriffs budget then run for the same office stating "I want to build another lock-up facility" yet have NO clue where the money is coming from (oh wait, the taxpayer will foot the bill) doesn't go over so well with the taxpayer!

One thing that was never mentioned was that most, not all, Tom Bowler for Sheriff signs were stolen from the front lawns of myself, my sister and 20-30 signs stolen along route 2 from Williamstown through North Adams. That is NOT running a respectable campaign. That IS dirty Politics.

So that was 300 more idiots piled into a room. Big deal. By the sounds of it, it there was almost 13,000 people that should be locked up in the jail to be closer to Tom. Good luck with Pudgy running that jail!!! You're going to really need it

It’s completely understandable for supporters of a candidate to be upset with the election results when the person they voted for didn’t win. I have many times in the past supported a candidate only to have he/she not win the election. However, I have always maintained respect for the winner and wished them well in the position the majority voted them into.

I voted for Mr. Bowler after carefully studying both candidates. I believed that both would have made a fine Sheriff, however, I had to make a decision and I voted for who I believed would make the better Sheriff.

For the Bosley supporters who believe the people electing Mr. Bowler are “idiots” and any other insults they can spew, only makes one wonder what type of people were supporting Rep. Bosley. These type of insults are juvenile and show the lack of character these people are desperately in need of.

I wish Rep. Bosley the best of luck with any/all future endeavors and I am confident he will be very successful with whatever he chooses to do. I also wish Sheriff-Elect Bowler the best of luck in January.

I agree that the losing candidates supporters need to take the same high road that we did during the ENTIRE campaign. A few bad apples seem to spoil the bunch, especially on these blogs. It's a shame that they don't require you to use your actual name, which could limit the abuse and ignorant comments.

Good luck Sheriff Elect Bowler, I hope that you really are qualified for the position. I'd also like to wish Good Luck to Dan Bosley, for whatever you decide to do moving forward on Jan 3. I know that you will be dedicated, passionate and hard working (as you have been as our State Rep for 24+ years). Its been a grueling and exhausting campaign for all of us!!!!!!

The election is over people and the most qualified candidate won. I take exception when James and Slightly Irritated question the campaign's integrity. At least we didn't refer to our candidate as Sheriff before the election was won like the Bosley camp did. That was misrepresentation by Mr. O'Brien his PR man and a lie. He is and was Rep. Dan Bosley not Sheriff Bosley. Goes to show people are smart and vote smart.

Hey Sonny, Dan was never referred to as Sheriff Bosley. if you could tell, they used 2 boxes, with 2 different colors and put them next to one another. He was never called Sheriff.

How do you figure Tom Bowler displayed integrity by leaking that info about Carmen?? Carmen was going to run, Tom saw an opportunity to leak info and then had a field day. There were ethics breached, name calling, and Bowler supporters were rude little piss-ants during the campaign.

Also, I don't think Tom should have used a yellow Sheriff badge on his signs. You're reaching Sonny, just as 13,000 reached for the wrong candidate. The 13,000 really voted for Donna Mattoon, Tom's sister that really won this thing. Poor Tom can hardly put a sentence together and forgets questions when asked to him.

I'm wondering how you equate the word "elected" with "qualified." Are you really saying anyone who is elected is the most qualified for any office? Tom Bowler may indeed be highly qualified, but only time in office will tell us that. You can call him the "most popular" candidate, to be sure. But the most qualified? Did you think that Bush was the most qualified to be president?

Well, I had thought the end of the campaign would have been gracious, but here we go with the 'sour grapes' of Bosley's supporters, I remain unconvinced how any logical and rational voter could have perceived him as the better choice. Bosley was not even remotely in the ball park, 24 years speaking to captive audiences in Boston does not a sheriff make. And now I wish for Mr. Bosley good luck in the future with all due respect and graciousness...

About the remarks of a previous poster's comments on signs and sign colors---the Bosley PR/campaign team clearly misrepresented Bosley as Sheriff--I don't care what colors were used---the message was clear & misleading Sheriff Bosley is what they said and that PR firm should look for some new designers--they helped Big Dig Dan lose the election--along with his crybaby complaints about Bowler signs in the DA's office--he(BOZ) was passing signs out from his Rep. Office in North Adams---no violation there.(isn't that office paid for by the taxpayers?)...reap what you sow---bye bye Boz!

It amazes me how worked up both sides are getting in this election. It's over. Bowler won, Bosley lost. Bowler claimed his victory and will be in office for at least six years. Bosley conceded and wished him the best and will be out of office in January. Time for us to move on. We have plenty to argue over before the next election, don't we? Good luck, Mr. Bowler, and thanks Mr. Bosley.

OK, cool off everybody or comments will be pulled. There is absolutely no reason for the kind of disrespect I'm seeing on the article. Sheriff-elect Bowler won; Rep. Bosley didn't. Critiquing campaigns and platforms are fine but childish name-calling and allegations are not.

For the record, the qualified candidate is one who is a registered voter of a certain age who is elected into office. Yes, really, it is. The voters set the criteria upon which to base their votes then hire or, if they so desire, fire.

iBerkshires sends it congratulations to Sheriff-elect Bowler and Tuesday's other winners.

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